Style Nails 35 Christmas Nail Art Designs That Are Extra Festive For The Holiday Season We wish you a merry mani. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 2, 2023 Close Photo: @sammismanis During the holiday season, the Christmas tree isn't the only thing that likes to be dressed to the nines, and a merry manicure is the perfect self-care splurge to get you into the spirit. Christmas nail colors allow you to accessorize for every holiday party, family potluck, or cookie swap. Instead of going with classic red or Frasier fir green this year, celebrate with fingers adorned with one of these Christmas nail art ideas. There are so many ways to take your favorite cherry red, rich oxblood, and creamy ivory nail color to jolly new heights. For Hallmark-binging romantics, a classic shade speckled with boughs of holly, mistletoe, and wreaths just feels right. For cocoa-clutching carolers, a plaid print will give your nails a cozy makeover. You can test your own manicure skills by DIY-ing one of these designs, or go the easier route by bringing one of these ideas as inspiration to your nail salon. Check out these 35 fun and festive Christmas nail designs to try this year. 01 of 35 New Christmas Red Nails @nailsbyalsn Christmas red is a forever classic choice for nails, but you can ask for a little something extra to get you in the spirit. 02 of 35 Fir Green Stars @sammismanis Deep hunter green is just the dark holiday nail color to choose instead of your usual vampy red, and you can make it extra festive with silver stars. 03 of 35 Cherry Red Plaid Lulu’s Pick out your Christmas tree whilst wearing this cozy plaid. See the tutorial. 04 of 35 Snowy French Manicure @vwnails_ French manicures are back, and you can still enjoy your usual look while still feeling ready for the season—thanks to a few snowflake and peppermint accents. 05 of 35 Holly Accents @chelseaqueen Christmas greenery doesn't just belong in the home. Your nails can get in on the action, too. 06 of 35 Cherry Snowflakes @oliveandjune These nails will pop against your winter wardrobe. Cherry red and delicate snowflakes make a magical duo. See snowflake nail art tutorial. 07 of 35 Foil Gold Tips @thehotblend As shiny as the wrappings on your presents and holiday chocolates, these French tips are teeming with metallic glam. 08 of 35 Tartan Touches @oliveandjune These tartan nails would look oh-so festive clutching a mug of hot cocoa or baking a batch of gingerbread cookies. 09 of 35 Pink Wreaths @chalkboardnails Give your holiday mani a girly twist by using millennial pink nail shades. The wreaths give it a festive finish. 10 of 35 Starburst Nails @thepolishedloungex For those who love a simple, clean look, go outside the box (just a little bit) for the holidays with a slightly studded nude manicure with gold accents. 11 of 35 Frosted Snowflakes @sammismanis Make your nails feel as magical as the season with a frosty pearlescent white polish coupled with stark black snowflakes. 12 of 35 Christmas French Mani @laurenladnier Reinvent the French manicure for the holiday season with fir green tips and a sparkly red nail color that feels fitting for the most festive of occasions. 13 of 35 Holiday Half-Moon Wreaths Chalkboard Nails Like popcorn strings, poinsettias, and plum pudding, these wreath-adorned nails seem destined for holiday greatness. See the tutorial. 14 of 35 Holiday Neutral Nails @natmaloneynailartist For the most subtle nod to the holidays, ask for very small changes to a classic neutral manicure. You can even do something different on each nail. 15 of 35 Cozy Stripes @sammismanis The perfect mani to match all of your comfy winter sweaters, from coffee hour to party time. Mocha brown and champagne gold polish make a cozy duo. 16 of 35 Gold-Wrapped Tips @nailsbyravi_ Look as shiny as Christmas wrapping paper with these French tips in a fun metallic gold. 17 of 35 Snow Globe Tips @thefabflamingo Snow globes make us dream of winter wonderlands, and these nails definitely have us wishing for a white Christmas. 18 of 35 Christmas Tree Green @oliveandjune Ask the nail salon for the closest thing it has to Frasier fir. In festive fashion, add a top layer of gold glitter. 19 of 35 Gift-Wrapped Kia Charlotta Tied up with a pretty red bow, this nail art will get you in the gift-wrapping zone. 20 of 35 Candy-Striped Instagram/@aliciatnails If candy canes are your Christmas treat of choice, this nail design will look right at home. These candy-inspired nails use negative space and fun stripes to ensure your most playful holiday manicure yet. 21 of 35 Merry Mashup @chelseaqueen Keep your Christmas companions close. Santa and Rudolph are right at your fingertips, literally. 22 of 35 Holiday Half Moon Instagram/@chelseaqueen Classic and fun, this half-moon design will pop at every party. The easiest way to get this design is by placing a sticky paper hole reinforcement to the base of the nail, using a paint brush or Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to smooth any smudged lines. 23 of 35 Holiday Lights Etsy/@nailthins It doesn't get more festive than twinkling lights. These ultra-thin decals will have everyone fooled. To skip the design process, you can often find nail decals on Etsy or at the nearest drugstore. 24 of 35 Candy Canes Coco’s Nails Kris Kringle would just love these candy cane-adorned nails. 25 of 35 Gradient Corners Instagram/@aliciatnails If you're not into green or white, this manicure makes a bright but subtle option for the holiday season—and it's incredibly easy! Find your favorite three red polishes, from dark to bright cherry, and use tape to create gradient corners. 26 of 35 Merry Metallic So Nailicious There's a lot of merry to be making when donning these metallic nails. See the tutorial. 27 of 35 Starbucks-Inspired @chelseaqueen Does your love for pumpkin spice lattes run deep? This Christmas nail design might be for you. 28 of 35 Twinkling Gold @tominova.nails Keep things minimal but festive with this gold glitter half-moon design. Use nail tape or—hack!—sticky paper hole reinforcements at the base of the nail. 29 of 35 Holly, Jolly Stickers Etsy/@katebroughton Follow your most festive fancy when you have these easy decals in hand. Between the holly and the mistletoe, you'll be the belle of the (Christmas) ball. Find stickers here. 30 of 35 Jingle Jewels @tominova.nails For a festive manicure that'll get you through the New Year, try this matte look. Jewel-toned green gets extra sass from nail jewels. 31 of 35 Festive Penguins @chalkboardnails We'll let this cute fellow hang out on our nails anytime. 32 of 35 Flannel Flair @chelseaqueen If you subscribe to the wintry way of life known as hygge—a Danish concept that basically means you love all things cozy—these flannel nails will keep you feeling it all season long. 33 of 35 Tropical Christmas @thefabflamingo If you're heading for white sand beaches and clear blue waters this Christmas, find a suitable match in this tropical nail design. 34 of 35 Frozen-Inspired @mrsalexsanz Prepare to be the coolest aunt ever. This nail art pays homage to the jolly snowman, Olaf. 35 of 35 Grinch Green @mrsalexsanz "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!" Celebrate this classic Christmas movie loud and proud, right on your nails. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit